Our next Professional Learning Day for Special Needs Assistants takes place on Saturday the 5th of October commencing at 9.30am. The topic for the day is Trauma Informed Practice. Our guest speakers on the day are Lucy Mannion, Jen Treziak and Catriona O' Toole.

A recording of the event will be shared with all registrants 24hrs after the event. You will also receive a cert of attendance for 4.5hrs which can go towards your 72 hours.

Session 1: 9.30am - 10.45am

Understanding Trauma: Essential Guidance For Special Needs Assistants

This talk explores the nature, prevalence and impact of childhood trauma, drawing on the latest theory and research in the field. Content includes, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), attachment disruption, community adversity, intergenerational trauma. We will also explore how trauma shows up in the classroom; how it impacts
children’s learning, behaviour, social and emotional development and sense of self.

We consider the role of significant adults, most notably Special Needs Assistants, in creating the conditions necessary for healing and resilience.

Trigger warning: This talk features emotionally difficult content

Presenter: Catriona O' Toole

Catriona O’Toole is a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Professor at Maynooth University Department of Education. She specialises in trauma-informed practice in education, student and educator wellbeing, and barriers to school attendance and participation.

An experienced educator, practitioner and internationally award winning author, she is recognised for her contributions to both research and practice. Catriona’s research has led to collaborations with international organisations, including the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) and national charities like, Kyrie Therapeutic Farm, and Alcohol Action Ireland, with whom she developed a bespoke website www.traumainformededucation.ie

Catriona is Chair of the Education and Policy Committee and Member of Executive Board with the International Network for School Attendance (INSA). She is Link Convenor of the Health and Wellbeing Education Network with the European Educational Research Association. At local level, she is a representative on Kildare Children and Young People’s Services Committee (CYPSC). Her research has received funding from multiple sources including the Irish Research Council, Tusla, The Drug and Alcohol Task Force, Limerick CYPSC, and Schools for Health in Europe Network Foundation.

Session 2: 11am - 12.15pm

Building Secure Relationships: Supporting SNAs with Attachment-Based Approaches

This talk will explore how Special Needs Assistants can work relationally with children who have different attachment styles, building on prior knowledge about attachment disruption and its effects on learning and behaviour. Attendees will learn how to recognise characteristics of secure attachment and various insecure attachment styles, such as avoidant, ambivalent, and disorganised.

We will explore practical strategies tailored to each attachment style, helping SNAs foster positive relationships and support emotional and behavioural development in children. Additionally, we will emphasise the importance of collaborating with families to support the development of secure attachments between parents and children.

Presenter: Lucy Mannion

Lucy is the Director of TINT Education (Trauma-Informed, Neuroinclusive, Therapeutic Education). With an extensive background in education, psychology, and psychotherapy, Lucy has held senior leadership roles in sector-leading therapeutic schools across London, where she worked within multidisciplinary teams of educators and clinicians. Upon returning to Ireland, Lucy founded TINT Education with the mission of cultivating trauma-informed, neuroinclusive, and attachment-based practices in Irish schools. Drawing on her rich experience as a teacher, Lucy aims to bridge the gap between education and psychology by providing practical, evidence-based strategies that can be feasibly integrated into school environments. She regularly develops and delivers both online and in-person training workshops on these vital topics, helping educators foster nurturing, supportive learning spaces.

Session 3: 12.45 - 2pm

Sensory Strategies for Trauma-Sensitive Support

• Understanding the connection between trauma and sensory dysregulation
• Sensory Grounding Techniques 
• Creating a Sensory-Friendly Environment:
• Using Movement-Based Sensory Activities:
• Incorporating Sensory Tools for Emotional Regulation
• Building Trust Through Sensory Awareness

Presenter: Jen Treziak

Jen Trzeciak is a highly experienced, Coru registered Occupational Therapist specialising in mental health. With over 20 years of service in the NHS, private, and third sector organisations, Jen has developed a rich background in delivering tailored mental health interventions and facilitating mental health awareness workshops and training programs.

In 2021, Jen founded Way Ahead Therapy to offer flexible, personalised support and training solutions for individuals and organisations alike. She works one-to-one with teenagers and
adults facing challenges related to anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, stress, and low self- esteem. In addition to her clinical work, Jen delivers mental health training in schools and community settings, empowering others with the knowledge and tools to improve well- being and foster resilience.

Target Audience: Primary School SNAs & Teachers

Stressful behaviour part 1: A deep look at behaviours that may occur due to stress and distress. The participants will look at the low arousal approach to stressful behaviours, the communication underlying stressors and strategies for helping students achieve a sense of regulation.

Bio of Presenter: Shaun Greville

Facilitator Shaun Greville teaches in the Esker Centre, Ballinamere. Shaun completed 5 years secondment to the SESS and latterly the NCSE. He fulfilled the roles of Advisor and Assistant National Coordinator for the autism team with a focus on in-school support for teachers and both in-school and external CPD regarding autism. He has been teaching autistic students for over 20 years and creating and providing training for staff and parents in third level colleges of education, post primary, primary and special schools. He also provides support groups for teachers and parents of autistic students. He is a co author of  Good Practice Guidance for Schools for teaching autistic students.

Target Audience: Primary School SNAs & Teachers

There will be a recording shared with all registrants. It will be available to view for 4 weeks after the live event. Each registrant will receive a cert of attendance the day after the event. 

Preventing the Meltdown part 2: Understanding and preventing distressed behaviour. A deeper look at the low arousal approach to managing stressful situations. PDA. Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance and extreme demand avoidance and autistic learners

Bio of Presenter Shaun Greville

Facilitator Shaun Greville teaches in the Esker Centre, Ballinamere. Shaun completed 5 years secondment to the SESS and latterly the NCSE. He fulfilled the roles of Advisor and Assistant National Coordinator for the autism team with a focus on in-school support for teachers and both in-school and external CPD regarding autism. He has been teaching autistic students for over 20 years and creating and providing training for staff and parents in third level colleges of education, post primary, primary and special schools. He also provides support groups for teachers and parents of autistic students. He is a co author of  Good Practice Guidance for Schools for teaching autistic students.

Target Audience: Primary School SNAs working in an Autism Class or working with Autistic Children

A recording will be shared with all registrants for a period of 4 weeks after the live event. Every registrant will receive a cert of attendance.

In this webinar, Jessie will introduce you to what it looks like to be an SNA in an Autism Classroom. She will explore the role of the SNA and how it differs from the mainstream classroom. You will be introduced to a range of strategies and supports to promote successful engagement and learning in the classroom. Practical tips and tricks will be shared throughout. 

Bio of Presenter Jessie Kelly

Jessie is a Deputy Principal in a Special School for Autistic children who have complex needs. She has almost 13 years experience working with and teaching Autistic children and teenagers. Jessie has worked in a range of roles including home tutor, autism preschool tutor, SNA and Special class teacher. Jessie completed an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education and Care in 2012 and qualified as a primary school teacher with Hibernia College in 2019. Jessie recently completed a Postgraduate Certificate in the Education of Students on the Autism Spectrum at DCU. Jessie is passionate about educating Autistic students to their fullest potential. She runs the Instagram page ‘InspiredbyAutism’..

Target Audience: Primary School SNAs working in an Autism Class or working with children with Autism

A recording will be shared with all registrants for a period of 4 weeks after the live event. Every registrant will receive a cert of attendance.

In this webinar, Jessie will introduce you to the different sensory profiles of autistic children. She will explore proactive strategies, tips and tricks to promote regulation of both Hyposensitive and Hypersensitive students in the classroom. Additionally Jessie will share with you how you can teach emotional regulation strategies to students and how to de-escalate at times of dysregulation.

Bio of Presenter Jessie Kelly

Jessie is a Deputy Principal in a Special School for Autistic children who have complex needs. She has almost 13 years experience working with and teaching Autistic children and teenagers. Jessie has worked in a range of roles including home tutor, autism preschool tutor, SNA and Special class teacher. Jessie completed an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education and Care in 2012 and qualified as a primary school teacher with Hibernia College in 2019. Jessie recently completed a Postgraduate Certificate in the Education of Students on the Autism Spectrum at DCU. Jessie is passionate about educating Autistic students to their fullest potential. She runs the Instagram page ‘InspiredbyAutism’..